Total Pancreatectomy With Percutaneous Islet Autotransplant After Remote Islet Processing: A Viable Paradigm?

Objectives: Total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplant (TPIAT) is important therapy for select chronic pancreatitis (CP) patients. The specialized technique of islet isolation limits widespread TPIAT use. We hypothesized that remote islet isolation provides satisfactory islet yield and perioperative outcomes.

HyM3D: A hybrid method for the automatic 3D reconstruction of a defective cranial vault.

Background And Objective: The ability to accomplish a consistent restoration of a missing or deformed anatomical area is a fundamental step for defining a custom implant, especially in the maxillofacial and cranial reconstruction where the aesthetical aspect is crucial for a successful surgical outcome. At the same time, this task is also the most difficult, time-consuming, and complicated across the whole reconstruction process. This is mostly due to the high geometric complexity of the anatomical structures, insufficient references, and significant interindividual anatomical heterogeneity.

Pancreatitis associated anxiety, depression, and stress: Hypothesis, definition, and intervention.

Necrotizing pancreatitis is characterized by a prolonged disease course requiring frequent hospitalization and intervention. Necrotizing pancreatitis patients have high rates of intensive care unit admission and organ failure. Critical illness is an identified risk factor for the development of anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder.

3D-Printed Patient-Specific Casts for the Distal Radius in Children: Outcome and Pre-Market Survey.

Background: Orthopaedic and Trauma surgery is expected to undergo profound transformation as a result of the adoption of 3D technology. Among the various applications, patient specific manufacturing of splints and casts would appear to be, particularly in children, an interesting implementation. This study aims to assess the safety of patient specific 3D casts obtained with a newly developed 3D-scanning devise in a small case series.

Impact of SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic and Strategies for Resumption of Activities During the Second Wave of the Pandemic: A Report From Eight Paediatric Hospitals From the ECHO Network.

The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome CoronaVirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic impacted the organization of paediatric hospitals. This study aimed to evaluate the preparedness for the pandemic among a European network of children's hospitals and to explore the strategies to restart health care services. A cross-sectional, web-based survey was distributed in May 2020 to the 13 children's tertiary care hospitals belonging to the European Children's Hospitals Organisation.

Prospective Analysis of the Mechanisms Underlying Ineffective Deep Vein Thrombosis Prophylaxis in Necrotizing Pancreatitis.

Background: Patients with necrotizing pancreatitis (NP) have the highest rate of venous thromboembolism (VTE) of any hospitalized patient (57%). We hypothesized that VTE prophylaxis might be inadequate in the setting of this profound inflammatory disease and that early detection of deep vein thrombosis would limit pulmonary embolism.

Study Design: All patients with NP treated at a single center between August 2018 and December 2019 were enrolled in prospective, weekly VTE screening, including 4-extremity duplex ultrasound.

Improved Outpatient Communication Decreases Unplanned Readmission in Necrotizing Pancreatitis.

Background: Unplanned readmission rates in necrotizing pancreatitis (NP) are among the highest of any medical disease (72%). Recent work has identified several potentially preventable causes of unplanned readmission in NP. We hypothesized that intensive outpatient communication would identify developing problems and decrease unplanned hospital readmission.

Ear Reconstruction Simulation: From Handcrafting to 3D Printing.

Microtia is a congenital malformation affecting one in 5000 individuals and is characterized by physical deformity or absence of the outer ear. Nowadays, surgical reconstruction with autologous tissue is the most common clinical practice. The procedure requires a high level of manual and artistic techniques of a surgeon in carving and sculpting of harvested costal cartilage of the patient to recreate an auricular framework to insert within a skin pocket obtained at the malformed ear region.

A Novel Objective Approach to the External Measurement of Pectus Excavatum Severity by Means of an Optical Device.

Background: Current approaches to quantifying the severity of pectus excavatum require internal measurements based on cross-sectional imaging. The aim of this study is to exploit a novel index evaluated on the external surface of the chest with a three-dimensional (3D) optical scanner.

Methods: Fifty-one children (41 male, 10 female) between 2 and 17 years of age were evaluated with a 3D optical scanner.

Comparative efficacy of antiepileptic drugs in children and adolescents: A network meta-analysis.

Objective: To estimate the comparative efficacy among antiepileptic drugs in the pediatric population (0-18 years).

Methods: Using the Embase and MEDLINE databases, we updated to February 2017 the search strategy of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines for epilepsy. We only included randomized clinical trials conducted in children and mixed-age populations.

The prevalence of anxiety and depression in Italian patients with cystic fibrosis and their caregivers.

Background: Cystic fibrosis, like other chronic diseases, is a risk factor for the development of elevated symptoms of depression and anxiety. The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of anxiety and depression in Italian patients with CF and their parents.

Methods: The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) questionnaires were administered to a sample of patients and their parents recruited at the cystic fibrosis centers in Italy.

Sonographic and cyst fluid cytologic changes after EUS-guided pancreatic cyst ablation.

Background And Aims: The effect of EUS-guided pancreatic cyst ablation (PCA) on sonographic morphology and cyst fluid cytology is unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate morphologic, cytologic, and change in cyst fluid DNA after PCA.

Methods: In a prospective single-center study, consecutive patients with suspected benign 10- to 50-mm pancreatic cysts underwent baseline EUS-FNA and EUS-PCA followed 2 to 3 months later by repeat EUS, cyst fluid analysis, and possible repeat PCA.

Efficacy of ketamine in refractory convulsive status epilepticus in children: a protocol for a sequential design, multicentre, randomised, controlled, open-label, non-profit trial (KETASER01).

Introduction: Status epilepticus (SE) is a life-threatening neurological emergency. SE lasting longer than 120 min and not responding to first-line and second-line antiepileptic drugs is defined as 'refractory' (RCSE) and requires intensive care unit treatment. There is currently neither evidence nor consensus to guide either the optimal choice of therapy or treatment goals for RCSE, which is generally treated with coma induction using conventional anaesthetics (high dose midazolam, thiopental and/or propofol).

Pancreatitis Quality of Life Instrument: A Psychometric Evaluation.

Objectives: Chronic pancreatitis is a significant medical problem that impacts a large number of patients worldwide. In 2014, we developed a disease-specific instrument for the evaluation of quality of life in this group of patients: pancreatitis quality of life instrument (PANQOLI). The goal of this study was to evaluate its psychometric properties: its reliability and its construct validity.

Heptadecanoylcarnitine (C17) a novel candidate biomarker for newborn screening of propionic and methylmalonic acidemias.

Background: 3-Hydroxypalmitoleoyl-carnitine (C16:1-OH) has recently been reported to be elevated in acylcarnitine profiles of patients with propionic acidemia (PA) or methylmalonic acidemia (MMA) during expanded newborn screening (NBS). High levels of C16:1-OH, combined with other hydroxylated long chain acylcarnitines are related to long-chain 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (LCHADD) and trifunctional protein (TFP) deficiency.

Methods: The acylcarnitine profile of two LCHADD patients was evaluated using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric method.

Prospective Cross-Sectional Study of the Prevalence of Incidental Pancreatic Cysts During Routine Outpatient Endoscopic Ultrasound.

Objective: Incidental pancreatic cysts are often detected during abdominal imaging and require follow-up since some have malignant potential. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is highly sensitive for pancreatic diseases, yet the prevalence of incidental pancreatic cysts discovered with EUS is unknown. The objective of the study was to determine its prevalence by EUS.

EUS-guided liver biopsy for parenchymal disease: a comparison of diagnostic yield between two core biopsy needles.

Background And Aims: EUS-guided biopsy of the liver has a variable diagnostic accuracy and specimen adequacy. A new core biopsy needle has been developed that may improve performance. The objective of this study was to compare the diagnostic yield of a new core biopsy needle with the previous standard needle.

Fetal programming and systemic sclerosis.

Objective: This study investigated whether birthweight is linked to an increased risk of the development of systemic sclerosis.

Study Design: This was a multicenter case-control study with perinatal data that were obtained from 332 cases with systemic sclerosis and 243 control subjects. Birthweight was treated as a dichotomous variable (<2500 g vs ≥2500 g); low birthweight was defined as a weight <2500 g; small for gestational age was defined as birthweight <10th percentile for gestational age adjusted for sex.

Utility of EUS following endoscopic polypectomy of high-risk rectosigmoid lesions.

Background: The utility of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) compared with standard white light endoscopy (WLE) following recent polypectomy of high-risk colorectal polyps is unknown.

Objective: To assess the incremental yield of EUS after endoscopic polypectomy of a high-risk rectal lesion.

Design: Retrospective cohort.

A prospective, randomized study of EUS-guided celiac plexus neurolysis for pancreatic cancer: one injection or two?

Background: The technique of alcohol injection during EUS-guided celiac plexus neurolysis (CPN) in patients with pancreatic cancer-related pain has not been standardized.

Objective: To compare pain relief and safety of alcohol given as 1 versus 2 injections during EUS-guided CPN (EUS-CPN). Secondary outcomes examined were characteristics that predict response and survival.

Molecular recognition in copper trafficking.

From the basic export of unwanted metal ions in simple organisms to the complex orchestration of metal handling and usage in higher eukaryotes, cellular systems are based on a variety of molecular mechanisms that constrain the right metal to bind to the right protein partner at the right time when needed. A failure to overcome the challenges inherent in this task can lead to pathological states that compromise the life of the cell. This is indeed the case with copper, a metal ion that is essential but which can however also create toxic effects when its intracellular concentration and distribution are not properly controlled.